 In 1982 she won the Bronze Medal at the 7th International Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow, the only non-Soviet medalist that year and the first American musician to place in the contest in over twelve years.After this and graduating from the Manhattan School of Music, she was offered a place in the San Francisco Opera's Merola Program, she debuted with the San Francisco Opera as Azucena in "Il Trovatore" in 1986, which launched her to international acclaim.In addition to the role of Azucena, Zajick is well known for her interpretations of Amneris and Eboli (in Verdi's "Aida" and "Don Carlos" respectively).